Plastic carrying case for bottles



1965 w. J. DE CHELBOR Re. 25,707

PLASTIC CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES Original Filed March 28, 1960 6Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

1965 w. J. DE CHELBOR Re. 25,707

PLASTIC CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES Original Filed March 28. 1960 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Q INVENTOR.

Jan. 5, 1965 w. J. DE CHELBOR PLASTIC CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES OriginalFiled March 28, 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 5, 1965 w. J. DE CHELBOR25,707

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PLASTIC CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 25,707 PLASTIC CARRYING CASE FOR BOTTLES William J.de Chelbor, Chicago, IiIL, assignor, by mesne assignments, to GeneralAmerican Transportation (Zorporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation ofNew York Original No. 3,045,862, dated July 24, 1962, Ser. No.

17,916, Mar. 28, 1960. Application for reissue June 17, 1964, Ser. No.389,563

21 Claims. (Cl. 220-102) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets E 1 appearsin the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification;matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention is in the field of carrying cases for pop bottles and thelike and is concerned with a so-called six or eight pack. This is animprovement on Serial No. 852,766, filed November 13, 1959.

A primary object of the invention is an all plastic bottle carryingcase.

Another object is a carrying case which will have a much greater triplife.

Another object is a carrying case which may be used over and over andmay be completely cleaned and sterilized between trips.

Another object is a carrying case of the above type in which the handleis separate.

Another object is an all plastic carrying case in which the handle isseparately molded and then attached to the body of the case.

Another object is an all plastic carrying case which may be either a sixor an eight pack Another object is a carrying case which willautomatically interlock with the tops of the bottles in a like casebelow.

Another object is a carrying case which will be free of vermin at alltimes and will not disintegrate or decay when left out in the weather.

Another object is a carrying case which, while made entirely ofvplastic, is simple to manufacture, sturdy in construction, and reliablein use.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuing specificationand drawings wherein several embodiments of my invention are described.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a. front elevation in partial section of one embodiment ofmy invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view in section along theline 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a a detail;

FIGURE 5 is a front elevation in partial section of another embodimentof my invention;

partial view, on an enlarged scale, of

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG- URE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is an end view in section along line 77 of FIGURE 6.

As shown in FIGURES 1 through 4, one embodiment of my carrying case isindicated generally at 10 and includes a base 12, shown as somewhatrectangular, with upstanding sides 14 and ends 16 formed integrally withthe base by well rounded edges 18 and to each other by well roundedcorners 20.

Lateral dividers 22 project inwardly from each side 14 toward thecenter. I show three such lateral dividers, more or less equally spaced,projecting inwardly from each side and, as shown in FIGURE 3, thedividers only go about to the center half-way, or possibly a little overhalf way, the precise amount not being critical. In any event, thedividers terminate in substantial spaced relation to the center, andsince three are used, each side ice is divided generally into fourbottle pockets, designated generally 24. Thus the case will handle someeight bottles, but if a six pack is preferred, only two such dividerswould be used dividing each side into three pockets. The dividers areformed integrally with the side wall and the foot of each dividerextends inwardly in a lateral web 26 which joins a center longitudinalweb 28 which is integral with the base. The longitudinal web rises ateach end to form end dividers 30 which stop short of the top of the endwall, as at 32.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the base or bottom of each bottle pocket 24 isprovided with openings and a web or grill type structure so that thecarrying case may be washed and sterilized between trips. On the bottomsurfaces of the base, a bead 34 parallels the sides and ends and extendsall the way around. The base has a central longitudinal strip 36extending from end to end which is integral with the longitudinal rib28. A plurality of lateral cross strips 38, shown in this case as three,are integral with the longitudinal strip 36 as well as the lateral ribs26 to define the eight pockets.

Each pocket 24 has longitudinal and lateral strips or straps 40 and 42extending into a center hub 44 which is outlined on the lower surfacethereof by a circular bead 46. As shown in FIGURE 3, the hub is domed upsomewhat or formed into a crown 48 projecting slightly up into thepocket to resiliently support a bottle. From the bottom the crown, withthe surrounding rim 46, provides a socket to receive the top or cap of alike bottle in a case below it when two or more such cases are stacked.This provides a firm interlock which will keep the top case from slidingoff when the units are vibrated or shaken. The strips 40 and 42 take ona T-shaped cross section due to a head on the bottom thereof, as at 50.

A handle 52 rising from the interior of the container is removablyconnected as set forth hereinafter. In detail the handle includes avertical top web 54 with slanting webs 56 at each end, all framed byupper and lower strips 58 and 60. The lower strip 60 widens or tapersoutwardly, as shown in FIGURE 3, as it parallels the diagonal webs 56downwardly until it flows integrally into the cross strips 62 of a lowerleg 64 which may be of a uniform width all the way down. The top strip58 does just the opposite and narrows or tapers inwardly as it comesdown until it comes to the width or thickness of the web 56, as shown inFIGURE 2. Each end is provided with a strap 66 which extendslongitudinally to connect to the end 16 by a button-in-hole connection68. It will be noted that the strap 66 rests on the top of the enddividers 30.

The web 56 extends down along the leg 64 at 70 in a T-shaped crosssection to a joint 72 between the leg and an upstanding stub 74 risingup from the base. It will be noted that the stub 74 has a cross sectionlike the leg 64 and rises up from the inner section between thelongitudinal strip 36, longitudinal rib 28, lateral strip 38 and lateralribs 26. Since there are two such joints, two stubs 74 are providedrising up from two joints, designated generally 76, and the center jointaround section 78 does not have a stub. Each of the stubs 74 has afastening tab 84) with one or more holes 82 to receive buttons 84positioned on an oflset 86 in the cross piece of the T-shaped legs. Thecenter of the handle may have a longitudnal brace 88 if desired. Iprefer that the top rim of the sides and ends 14 and 16 be somewhatthickened as at 96 to prevent splitting.

A second embodiment of my invention is indicated generally at 92 inFIGURES 57 and includes a body generally similar to that of the previousform with a base,

upstanding sides and ends formed integrally with the base by roundededges and to each other by rounded corners.

Lateral dividers project inwardly from each side toward the center. Inthis form I show two such lateral dividers generally equally spaced. Thedividers only go about half way to the center, the precise amount notbeing critical. Since two dividers are shown, each side of the case isdivided generally into three bottle pockets. Thus the case shown is a 6bottle pack but if an 8 pack is preferred, 3 dividers could be utilizeddividing each side into 4 pockets. This form differs from the previousform in the following respects.

A unitary handle 94 rising from the interior of the container includes aweb framed by upper and lower strips or slats 96 and 98, both of whichare tapered downwardly to merge smoothly with the cross strip, as shownin FIG- URE S. Spaced legs, 100 depend from the cross strip andoutstanding ribs 102 may be provided on each side of the legs whichmerge into integral locking varies 104 formed on an enlargement 106. Thelocking vanes are spaced from the legs and ribs so that a slot orannular groove 108 is provided.

Each of the legs is flexible and may be twisted a given amount so thatthe vanes are disposed at right angles to their normal position. Thevanes may then be pushed through an opening 110 in the top of a socket112 formed at the junction of two of the slats in the bottom or grill.Note that the opening has lateral slots 114 so that the vanes may gothrough. When pushed through, the spring or return effect of thetwisted; legs will cause them to snap the vanes back to thelongitudinal. The bottom or under surface of the socket may be formedwith spaced ribs 116 so that once the vanes return, they will fitbetween the ribs which hold them in place. The dimensioning of theannular groove 108 and the distance the vanes must travel in seating.should be such that a slight forced or compression fit is provided. Iprefer that the side walls of the socket, as at 122, are slightlytapered so that the bottles will not hang up.

I also provide a dovetailor T connection between the end straps and theend walls, as at 116, which enclose a T 118 formed on the end strap ofthe handle which fits into a dovetail groove 120 formed in the innersurface of the end wall. The dimensioning is such that when the handleis lowered into the case, with the legs twisted, the T will enter thedovetail slot before the vanes start into the sockets.

The use, operation and function of my invention are as follows:

I provide an all plastic carrying case for pop bottles or the like whichmay be either a six or eight pack or, for that matter, may beconstructed to carry any suitable number of bottles. Asexamples only, Ihave set out the eight pack container in describing the first embodimentof my invention and the six pack in the description of the second.

The handle structure is molded separately from the case itself so thatthe two may be shipped in knocked down condition to the bottler. It willbe noted that in both embodiments of my invention the handle may beinserted and mounted without regard to which end is disposed in eitherdirection. In the first form once the handle is in place and the buttonshave been snapped through the various openings, the dimensioning is suchthat a tight fit and interlock is attained and thereafter the unit is,in effect, one piece. In the second form as the legs are twisted and thevanes inserte'clin the laterally extending slots, the T shaped guidessimultaneously are seated in the dovetail groove and retained snugly byvirtue of the fact that the vanes are resiliently returned to normallongitudinal alignment and cannot be dislodged from the slot. The resultis a tight fit and interlock is attained.

The dividers extending in from the side walls are very important. Inaddition to dividing the case into bottle pockets, the dividers are alsointegral with the side walls addition the domes also interlock andtherefore substantially strengthen the overall'case. These dividers arealso integral with the ribs upstanding from the base which-makes theoverall carrying case a rugged structure unit.

At the same time the base is made up of interconnected slats and ribsdefining a number of openings which facilitate washing and sterilizationof the carrying case.

Each pocket has a resilient seat in the form of a dome upon which thebottles rest and are centered by. In with the caps on the bottles in thecase stacked below the case described. As a result, relative horizontalmovement of the nested cases is prevented.

In the FIGURE 5 form, the two part container may be assembled bymachines which lower the handle structure into the container with thelegs twisted. When fully seated, the legs are released to spring back tolocked position. Only of twist is required but more or less may be used.The dovetail connections 116 at each end provide automatic piloting ofthe handle structure since the Ts 118 are inserted before the vanesenter the sockets. The T and dovetail groove may be tapered slightly towedge together when the legs are fully locked in the sockets.

The posts and straps of the case and all elements of constructiongenerally are thin and the overall dimensions are roughly equivalent ofa paper case. Consequently, the case will fit in present day automaticfilling equipment without difficulty.

The handle itself may be easily grasped and is quite strong, whether itis constructed for an eight pack or a six pack.

While I have shown and described several variations of my invention, itshould be understood that suitable additional improvements, changes,substitutions and alterations may be made without departing from theinventions fundamental theme. Therefore, I wish that the invention beunrestricted except as by the appended claims.

' I claim:

1. In a carrying case for pop bottles or the like, a base, a continuousside structure around the base with side and: end walls upstanding fromits outer edge defining an open top container for bottles, an integralmolded handle structure upstanding from the general center of the baseand.

rising above the top of the side structure, said handle structure havinga pair of downwardly extending legs thereon detachably connecting saidhandle structure rigidly to said base, straps extending longitudinallyfrom the handle structure detachably connected to the end walls, andlateral dividers projecting inwardly from the side structure andterminating in spaced relation to the handle structure out of contacttherewith at all points to define a plurality of bottle pocketstherewith.

2. The structure ofclaim 1 further characterized in and includingbuttons for detachably connecting the legs to the base.

3. The structure of claim 1 further characterized in that the legs aretorsionally deformable in connecting the handle to the base, and aconnection between each leg and the base including a vane on one and aslot on the other corresponding to the vane, the vane and slot beingmisaligned when free with each leg being sufficiently torsionallydeformable such that the vane and slot can be made to temporarily lineup for initial assembly.

4. In a two part carrying case for pop bottles or the like, anintegrally molded base and peripherally continuous side structuredefining *an open top container for bottles, an integrally molded handlestructure upstanding from the general center of the base rising abovethetop of the side structure, said handle structure having means thereondetachably connecting said handle structure rigidly to said base,integral straps extending longitudinally from the handle structure,means on the ends of the straps for detachably securing the straps toeach end of the side structure, and integral lateral dividers projectinginwardly from the side structure and terminating in spaced relation tothe handle structure to define a plurality of bottle pockets therewith.

5. In a carrying case for pop bottles or the like, a base, a sidestructure around the base and upstanding from its outer edge defining anopen container for bottles and including two longitudinal sidesinterconnected by lateral ends, a handle upstanding from the generalcenter of the base and rising above the upper edge of the sides and endsand dividers in the container dividing it into a pi rality of bottlepockets, the base being formed as a generally open grill subdivided intoseparate pockets by a plurality of lateral and longitudinal intersectingstrips, each pocket having an upwardly domed crown in the general centerthereof connected to the strips by a plurality of straps radiating fromthe crown.

6. The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that the handle isdisconnectably attached to the base and ends only.

7. The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that the handle isdisconnectably attached to the base, the base including upstanding stubsterminating below the upper edge of the sides and ends and a jointbetween the upper end of the stubs and the handle so that the handle maybe removed.

8. The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that the handleincludes longitudinally straps, means disconnectably attaching saidstraps to the ends of said side structure.

9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that said lastmentioned connecting means includes buttons on said strapsdisconnectably insertable in holes in said ends.

10. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that said lastmentioned connecting means includes vertically extending guides on saidstraps insertable in vertically extending grooves on said ends.

11. In a carrying case for pop bottles or the like, a base, a sidestructure around the base and upstanding from its outer edge defining anopen top container for bottles and including two longitudinal sidesinterconneoted by lateral ends, a handle upstanding from the generalcenter of the base and rising above the upper edge of the sides andends, button means on said handle extending longitudinally of said case,upstanding stubs on said base teriminating below the upper edge of saidsides and ends, said stubs having apertures therein, said button means:being detachably insertablein said apertures, longitudinal strapsextending from said handle, button means on said straps, apertures insaid ends, said last mentioned button means being disconnectablyinsertable in said last mentioned apertures, and dividers in thecontainer dividing it into a plurality of bottle pockets, the base ineach ocket being formed upwardly somewhat into a convex crown concave onits lower surface.

12. In a carrying case for pop bottles or the like, a base, a sidestructure around the base and upstanding from its outer edge defining anopen top container for bottles and including two longitudinal sidesinterconnected by lateral ends, a handle upstanding from the generalcenter of the base and rising above the upper edge of the sides andends, at least one raised portion in said base, a slot in said raisedportion extending in a defined direction, at least one vane dependingfrom said handle, and extending in a defined direction at a decidedangle to the direction of the slot, the vane being of a material that issufficiently torsionally deformable to permit the vane to be turned intoalignment with the slot to provide for insertion of the vane in theslot, and to return to its defined direction after insertion andrelease, straps extending longitudinally from the handle structure,vertically extending guide Ts on the ends of the straps, verticallyextending dovetail grooves on the lateral ends, said guide Ts beingseated in said grooves when said tabs 6 are inserted in said slots, anddividers in the container dividing it into a plurality of bottlepockets.

13. In a carrying case for bottles and the like, a base and sidestructure defining an open top container for bottles and including twolongitudinal sides interconnested by lateral ends, a handle upstandingfrom the general center of the base and rising above the upper level ofthe sides and ends, a connection between the handle and base includingat least one slot on one of them extending in a defined direction and atleast one vane on the other normally extending in a defined direction,and an additional connection between the handle and side structure sothat the handle will be disposed, when mounted therein, in a defineddirection, the normal direction of each vane, when the handle is somounted, being at a decided angle to the direction of the slot, thematerial or" the vane being sufiiciently flexible such that it may betwisted to cause alignment of the vane with the slot when the handle isso mounted in the container and, when released after insertion, willtend to return the vane to its defined direction to thereby interlockthe handle in the container.

14. In a carrying case for pop bottles and the like, an integral baseand side structure upstanding from and around the sides of the base, theside structure including side and end walls and defining with the basean open topped container for bottles, and a one piece integral handlestructure connected to and upstanding from the general center of thebase and rising above the top of the side structure, the handlestructure including at least one leg disconnectably and rigidly joinedto the base, and a plurality of straps integrally formed with the handlestructure and extending longitudinally therefrom and disconnectably andrigidly joined to the end walls.

15. In a carrying case for pop bottles or the like, a base, a continuouswall structure around the base with side and end walls and upstandingfrom the outer edge of the base to thereby define an open toppedcontainer for bottles, a one piece integral molded handle structureupstanding from the general center of the base and rising above the topof the wall structure, said handle structure having at least onedownwardly extending leg thereon detachably connecting said handlestructure rigidly to the base, each leg being torsionally deformable inconnecting the handle to the base, a connection between each leg and thebase including a vane on one and a slot on the other corresponding tothe vane, the vane and slot being misaligned when free with each legbeing sufiiciently torsionally deformable such that the vane and slotcan be made to temporarily line up for initial assembly, strapsextending from the handle structure and detachably connected to the Wallstructure, and lateral dividers between the wall structure and thehandle structure integrally molded to one of them and terminating inspaced relation to the other out of contact therewith at all points todefine a plurality of bottle pockets therewith,

16. In a carrying case for pop bottles and the like, an integral baseand side structure upstanding from and around the sides of the base, theside structure including side and end walls and defining with the basean open topped container for bottles, and a one piece integral handlestructure connected to and upstanding from the general center of thebase and rising above the top of the side structure, the handlestructure including at least one leg disconnectably and rigidly joinedto the base, and a connection at each end of the handle structure andintegrally formed therewith extending longitudinally therefrom anddisconnectably and rigidly joined to the end walls.

17. In a carrying case for pop bottles and the like, a base, a sidestructure around the base and upstanding from its outer edge defining anopen topped container for botties and including two longitudinal sidesinterconnected by lateral ends molded integrally with the base andforming one piece, a handle upstanding from the general center of thecarrying case rising above the upper edge of the side structure anddividers in the container dividing it into a plurality of bottlepockets, the base being formed as a unitary molded generally open grillsubdivided into a plurality of pockets by a plurality of generallyrectilinear lateral and longitudinal integrally interconnected strips,each pocket having an upwardly domed crown in the general center thereofintegrally connected only to the strips by a plurality of strapsradiating from each crown, and an annular bead integrally molded on thebase and projecting downwardly from and generally defining the peripheryof each crown to surround and interlock with the top of a bottle belowit providing lateral stability when such carrying cases are filled andstacked.

18. The structure of claim 17 further characterized in that the annularbead projecting down from and generally defining the periphery of eachcrown is continuous and uninterrupted around each crown, the strapsradiating from each crown connecting it to the lateral and longitudinalintegrally interconnected strips being disposed generally parallel tothe strips so as to be generally lateral and longitudinal.

19. A carrying case for pop bottles, or the like, comprising abasket-like body molded of plastic material and including aSubstantially rectangular bottom wall and a pair of substantiallyparallel upstanding side walls and a pair of substantially parallelupstanding end walls and having an open top, said five walls named beingintegrally joined together along the several junctions therebetween,divider structure molded of plastic material and including a pluralityof upstanding intersecting divider walls, said divider structure beingdisposed within said body and arranged to divide the interior of saidbody into a plurality of bottle-receiving pockets having open tops andreadily accessible from the exterior, the bottoms of said divider wallsbeing integrally joined to said bottom wall and the ends of said dividerwalls being integrally joined to the respectively adjacent ones of saidside and end walls and defining a corresponding plurality of pocketbottom walls, one of said divider walls extending longitudinally betweensaid end walls and located substantially centrally between said sidewalls and substantially parallel thereto, a corresponding plurality ofcrown-centering members respectively carried by said pocket bottomwalls, said'crown-centering members being arranged respectively adjacentto the central portions of the corresponding ones of said pocket bottomwalls and projecting downwardly therefrom and being adapted respectivelyto embrace top closure crowns provided on bottles carried in anothersuch carrying case, thereby to stabilize said carrying case when it isin a stacked position on top of another such carrying case arrangedtherebelow, said body and said divider structure and saidcrown-centering members constituting a one-piece construction molded ofa single mass of plastic material with the bottoms of said divider wallsintegrally joined to said bottom wall and with the opposite ends of saiddivider walls integrally joined to the adjacent ones of said side andend walls and with said crowncentering members integrally joined to saidbottom wall, upstanding handle structure molded of plastic material andextending longitudinally above said one divider wall, the lower portionof said handle structure being spaced above said bottom wall, meansconnecting the lower portion of said handle structure to said onedivider wall, and means connecting the opposite end portions of saidhandle structure to said end walls, the upper portion of said handlestructure being disposed well above the upper side and end edges of saidbody, whereby the upper portion of said handle structure extendslongitudinally over the central portion of said bottom wall and isreadily accessible from the exterior.

20. The carrying case set forth in claim 19, wherein said dividerstructure includes a plurality of other divider walls extendinrlaterally between said side walls and located in substantially parallelspaced-apart relation with respect to each other and to said end walls,each of said other divider walls including a pair of upstanding outerend portions respectively integrally joined at the outer edges thereofto the adjacent ones of said side walls and respectively spaced at theinner edges thereof laterally outwardly from said handle structure.

22'. The carrying case set forth in claim 19, wherein said bottom wallis of generally open-work grill construction including a plurality oflongitudinally extending strips and a plurality of laterally extendingstrips and arranged in corresponding intersecting relation with eachother, and each of said pocket bottom walls further includes a pluralityof radially arranged straps joining the one of said crown-centeringmembers carried thereby and the respectively adjacent ones of saidstrips.

References Cited by the Examiner The following references, cited by theExaminer, are of record in the patented file of this patent or theoriginal patent.

UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,035,483 8/12 Scott. 2,365,914 12/44 Stiglcr2201l6 2,416,999 3/47 Keith et a1. 220l 04 2,431,713 12/47 Stigler220-116 2,510,591 6/50 Listman 220l16 2,525,633 10/55 Arnett 2201042,535,113 12/50 Acton 220116 2,535,493 12/50 Gerber 2202l 2,593,861 4/52Eder et al s 220-21 2,758,742 8/56 Farrell 22021 2,759,337 8/56 KEIEZ220116 2,850,153 9/58 Cosentino 20645.33 2,948,433 8/60 Fineo 22D1023,604,657 10/61 Hyman 220104 X 3,055,543 9/62 RUSSO 22G-116 GEORGE O.RALSTON, Primary Examiner.

